IT Carlow graduates in Engineering, Computing, Science and Business, enjoying careers in illustrious companies and organisations at home and abroad, are fronting the Institute’s 2016 CAO campaign, which was launched last week ahead of the 1st February deadline.
And one of the ‘stars’ of the campaign is Andrew Wolahan, a 2010 Graduate in Aircraft Systems from IT Carlow’s School of Engineering. IT Carlow is the only higher education institute in the country to offer a Bachelor of Engineering in Aircraft Systems, alongside niche honours degree courses in Aero Engineering. Andrew currently works as a Systems Engineer for the European Space Agency and his job entails extracting space debris from aircraft returning from space missions!
Andrew’s face and name is appearing in press, outdoor and digital advertising and he has voiced a radio ad about his experience at IT Carlow and how it was the gateway to his exciting career as an Aerospace Engineer with the European Space Agency.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Andrew Wolahan, said, “The course I did in IT Carlow built me up from the ground to be able to do what I do today. I pinch myself every day to think I’m working at the European Space Agency and I couldn’t have got there without IT Carlow which not only offers fantastic courses but has huge connections around the world”.
There are myriad opportunities open to graduates of IT Carlow, over 90% of whom find employment before graduation, and some even before completing their final exams, according to the Institute.
“In Ireland, the employment rate for graduates is currently at 80%. For IT Carlow graduates, the employment rate is significantly higher - 93% at graduation and rising further to 96% within six months of graduation. Demand for all our graduates is very high. For example approximately 50% of this year’s final year students in Software and Computer Games Development had been offered jobs within the computer game industry and ICT sector before they sat their exams”, commented Dr. Mulcahy, President, IT Carlow.
For 2016, IT Carlow is offering new degree courses in Sustainable Farming & Agribusiness, alongside a range of degree courses and specialisms in Computing, Law, Engineering, Business, Humanities, Science and Health.
This year IT Carlow has also introduced a new “common entry” application point for its business suite of degree programmes. The “common entry” system empowers students to keep their options open for two years, before selecting one of the fields of Business Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Supply Chain Management or Marketing, as their specialism. The elective option of undertaking work placement in Year 3 also greatly enhances opportunities on graduation.
IT Carlow students regularly find themselves studying alongside some household names. Famous students at IT Carlow in the last 12 months included international soccer players Robbie Keane, Damian Duff and former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who each completed UEFA training courses as part of IT Carlow’s degree programmes in Sport & Exercise. Delivered in partnership with the FAI, IRFU and Leinster Rugby, these programmes are the only degree courses of their kind in Europe and complement IT Carlow’s other degree programmes in Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning and Sports Management & Coaching.
Since its founding in 1970, IT Carlow has generated over 45,000 graduates. It currently ranks as the fourth largest of Ireland’s 14 Institutes with 7,500 enrolments.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact: Alma Feeley, Communications Dept, IT Carlow
alma.feeley@itcarlow.ie 059 9175098/087 8204934